February 24th, 2012
When War Reporters are the Targets
By Butler Cain
David Carr of The New York Times has taken an interesting look at what happens when journalists are the ones targeted in a war zone.
“The last thing wanted by lawless regimes who govern through might is transparency and the free flow of information,” he wrote in Thursday’s (2/23) Media Decoder column. “Journalists, in this context, are no longer neutrals, but targets unto themselves.”
Carr says Syria is dangerous — and much thought should go into any decision to go there — but journalists are a vital component in explaining what is happening and providing appropriate context.
“The video coming out of Syria is important, but without the lens of journalism, it is not sufficient,” he wrote. “War requires witness that goes beyond clicking on a YouTube video.”
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